Fans Call for Custody of Man Who Grabbed Ariana Grande
Devoted fans of the pop star are calling for that a individual who leaped a barricade and seized the performer during the recent Wicked: For Good premiere be arrested or removed from Singapore.
A widely shared clip reveals the person identified as Johnson Wen shoving aside media personnel and charging at Grande while the performers proceeded down a yellow carpet accompanied by supporters.
Fellow actress Cynthia Erivo quickly guided the surprised star away from Mr Wen, who was seen being escorted out of the event by event staff.
Mr Wen shared on Instagram late on Thursday that he was "released after being arrested", though court documents indicated that he was scheduled to be present on Friday morning. It is not clear if he was faced legal action.
Pattern of Event Invasions
This is part of a pattern for Mr Wen, who labels himself a "Controversial Figure", has invaded a performance. His Instagram profile features recordings of him disturbing other high-profile occasions, including jumping on stage at the pop singer's Sydney performance in earlier this year and in a like fashion during The Chainsmokers concert in the city last year.
"There needs to be action taken against him as this is evidently a punishable act," commented an Instagram follower, in a reply to a video Mr Wen shared of his act.
"This appears to be a habit... why are you not imprisoned?" a different Instagram user remarked.
Supporters Voice Worry Over the Star's Well-being
Many fans accused Mr Wen for "re-traumatising" Grande, who had spoken of dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder after a suicide bomb attack at the end of her May 2017 concert in Manchester, resulting in the death of 22 people and injuring hundreds.
"Ariana has been through so many scary things... and at her Manchester concert and you thought it would be fun to jump the barricade?" commented one more comment on Instagram.
A number of supporters also criticised security officers at the Thursday event for not being sufficiently alert; while some requested online networks to block Mr Wen's content.
Aftermath and Event Details
In footage spreading on the internet, Grande looked shocked when she was grabbed by the individual. Her fellow actors Michelle Yeoh and Erivo can be observed reassuring her while Mr Wen was removed by security.
Grande has not issued a statement on the situation, and the premiere activities continued without further issues.
Many of supporters had assembled in a sea of green and pink at the Wicked: For Good regional debut in a Singapore venue, including some who had queued for as long as many hours before it started.
The film, to be launched on the 21st of November, is the second of a two-film interpretation of the acclaimed theatrical production Wicked, which centers on the surprising bond between two contrasting witches.
The production itself is a derivative of the classic book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Grande, who plays the benevolent sorceress Glinda, was dressed in a rosé sparkling outfit at the gathering while Erivo, who acts as the Elphaba, wore a sleek black dress decorated with roses.
They were accompanied by co-star Jeff Goldblum.
The previous installment, Wicked, was the most successful film of last year in the UK, and received a dozen Oscar nominations, winning several for best costume and set decoration.